2022 Nascar Busch Light Clash Betting Preview/Prop Picks
03 February 2022
The 2022 season of NASCAR is approaching with the preseason race at the Coliseum. This marks the first time a preseason race was not held at Daytona, dating back to 1979.
A lot of favorites from last season will have some attention, but will a new star break out? Below you can see who has a shot to win.
Race Details
Date: Sun, Feb 6, 6:00 PM
Watch on: FOX
Track: LA Memorial Coliseum
Betting Overview
Kyle Larson won the 2021 Cup Series and leads the pack with the best chance to win. With a win here, he would get off to a hot start to stay the season.
Keep in mind that this race does not count for any points, but drivers still want to compete. With that being said, you might see some less popular faces get off to a hot start.
Head to Head Matchup to Watch
Kyle Larson (154.387) and Martin Truex Jr. (159.86) were the first and second respective spots in last year’s Cup Series. Larson has never won this event, but after dominating last season, you have to think he is positive heading in.
Truex Jr. is not heavily favored to win, but he does have what it takes to turn it on at any moment. Look for Larson to place better here.
Dunkel Index For This Event
The Dunkel Index is showing these top 10 drivers that could win this event. The following ten are:
1 Kyle Larson 154.387
2 Denny Hamlin 155.797
3 Chase Elliott 157.512
4 Martin Truex Jr 159.863
5 Ryan Blaney 160.235
6 Christopher Bell 161.148
7 Kevin Harvick 161.710
8 Kyle Busch 161.873
9 Alex Bowman 161.899
10 Brad Keselowski 162.177
*index is subject to changes
Drivers That Could Win
Denny Hamlin (155.797) finished in third for last season’s Cup Series. He is familiar with this event but only at Daytona, where he won in 2014 and 2016. He is also a heavy favorite to succeed here.
It is weird to consider Chase Elliott (157.512) as an underdog, despite what the odds say. After an excellent 2020 Cup Series, he came in fourth last season and even challenged Larson on many of the road courses.
Kyle Busch (161.873) won this event last season, but it is not the same as other wins. That race was at the Daytona road course and only had 35 laps.
Martin Truex Jr. (159.86) had an outstanding 2021 season, just behind Larson. He established four quality wins and had 13 top-five finishes.
Potential Winning Pick
Kyle Larson (154.387) is going to have a target on his back this year for how well he dominated the field. With ten wins and 20 top-five finishes last season, you would think it was a video game compared to everyone else.
This event will be somewhat of a mystery due to the track change. However, Larson could retain his dominance no matter what.
Prop Picks
Matchup: Christopher Bell (-105) Over Kevin Harvick
Bell finished last season with five Top 10 finishes in the final six races, including a 3rd at Texas Motor Speedway. He also picked up his first NASCAR checkered flag earlier in the season at the Daytona Road Course.
By Harvick’s standards, last year was a down year for the 2014 Cup champion after not winning a race for the first time since 2009. The second half of the season was notable more for his feud with Chase Elliott than his performance on the track.
With Bell rated No. 6 in this week’s Dunkel Index and Harvick No. 7, take Bell (-105) to get the better of this matchup.
Matchup: Denny Hamlin (-115) Over Chase Elliot
Hamlin is coming off another solid season with a pair of wins and 19 Top 5 finishes that put him in the Championship 4 for the final weekend.
After taking the 2020 Cup Championship, Elliott slipped to 4th last season despite posting multiple wins for the 4th straight season.
With Hamlin rated No. 2 in this week’s Dunkel Index and Elliott at No. 3, these two should battle at the front of the pack all day long, but go with Hamlin (-115) to finish on top of this matchup at the LA Coliseum.
Matchup: Alex Bowman (-130) Over Kurt Busch
Bowman’s 2020 season had some highs and lows. His four victories were second only to Cup Champion Kyle Larson’s 10, but his average finish of 15.1 was off his marks the previous two seasons.
Busch picked up his 33rd career win at Atlanta last season, but also fell out of the Top 10 in three of the last five races to end the season.
Both drivers will be looking for more consistency this year, but with Bowman rated No. 9 and Busch rated No. 12 in this week’s Dunkel Index, take the 48 car (-130) to take this matchup.
Keep up with your latest NASCAR news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.
